TONYA PENDLETON
PHILADELPHIA,PA
Summary
Experienced multi-media professional with quantifiable experience providing and supervising content creation for news, lifestyle, travel, and entertainment-based high-traffic websites. High-level multimedia contacts with an emphasis on African-American interests. Polished wordsmith with writing, editing, and proofreading proficiency and expert knowledge of AP and WordPress.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Contributing Editor
Reach Media, Inc.
- Provided convergent content for Tom Joyner Morning Show based on current headlines and guests
- Wrote, edited, and published content from AP, columnists, staff, and contributing writers
- Edited breaking news stories and wrote and published live coverage of awards shows including Grammys, Emmys, and Oscars
- Created and edited content, including on-camera interviews, during live events, including The Fantastic Voyage, the company's annual flagship event
Managing Editor
Black Entertainment Television
- BET.com
- Set and enforced deadlines for music vertical, created editorial calendar, determined article placement, supervised direct reports
- Wrote news, blog entries, and feature articles; conducted print and video interviews with celebrities, influencers and newsmakers
- Edited and published daily stories, including breaking news
- Coordinated specials content and coverage, including writing copy for micro-site, creating image galleries, covering live specials, conducting video interviews, and traveling when necessary
- Supervised live interactive poll with 106 & Park
- Developed and executed contests, online listening parties, and other interactive elements
- Supervised contest fulfillment, including escorting winners and managing contest winner experience with various celebrities
- Developed and supervised special projects for Black History Month, Black Music Month, BET Awards, and other live and pre-recorded annual events
- Represented BET.com on panels at conferences and via appearances on national television programs, including on MSNBC, VH1, ESPN, and MSNBC
Host, Things to Do
WHYY
2017 - Current
- Host and produce weekly radio segment featuring weekend event listings
- Build broadcast storylines to interest listeners and grow audience
- Research, write and source photos for web column, which set site traffic records
- Find, research, fact-check, and write scripts for radio broadcast on relevant topics in local arts and culture
- Develop and maintain relationships with community partners and arts and culture institutions
Contributing Editor
TheGrio
- Prepare, rewrite and edit pieces to improve readability and impact
- Manage team of writers and junior editors to deliver accurate and engaging content
- Review articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, accuracy, and compliance with quality standards.
- Adhere to Associated Press and internal style guidelines, educating staff on standards
- Determine readiness of written pieces, make changes and approve final versions for publication
- Write, interview, and provide multimedia content for news, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle verticals
- Guide and motivate staff to achieve demanding targets under tight deadlines
- Communicate with writers to collaboratively assess work and guide editorial improvements
- Select and edit photos for use in multiple verticals
- Devise attention-grabbing headlines and subheads to increase clicks and engagement
- Monitor breaking news for information on incidents, events, and topics to quickly assign coverage
Education
B.A. - Liberal Arts
The New School
New York, NY05-2015
Skills
- News Stories
- Event and Story Coverage
- Copy Proofreading
- Readability Improvement
- Reporter Supervision
- Story Development
Timeline
Senior Contributing Editor
Reach Media, Inc.
Managing Editor
Black Entertainment Television
Host, Things to Do
WHYY
2017 - Current
Contributing Editor
TheGrio
B.A. - Liberal Arts
The New School